Facts About Pansy Flowers

Pansies reseed and often self-sow.

The pansy is a cool-season annual grown for its striking flowers. There are more than 250 cultivars of pansies, which generally bloom in the fall and spring months. Some varieties are fragrant.

Identification

The pansy is a compact plant that reaches 12 inches in height and spread. Flower colors include red, purple, blue, bronze, pink, yellow, white, lavender, apricot and orange. Blooms can be one clear color or have a darker center that is called the "face." Some flowers have black markings known as "penciling" or "whiskering."

History

Pansies come from the hybridization of Viola tricolor and other viola species, notes Margaret Wolf, a master gardener with the Colorado State University Extension. The original violas and wild pansies were cultivated in Europe and have their origins in England in the early 1800s. The name pansy comes from the French word "pansee," meaning remembrance.

Landscape Uses

Pansies offer a burst of color to the garden and grow well in flower beds, containers, hanging baskets and window boxes.

Requirements

Pansies grow best in a location that receives morning sun. They require a rich, well-draining soil and weekly watering. Pansies experience maximum blooming when fed with a 5-10-10 fertilizer at planting time. Mulching is also recommended.

References

• Clemson University Cooperative Extension: Pansies & Johnny-Jump-Ups
• Colorado State University Extension: Perky Pansies for the Garden

Resources

• Utah State University Extension: Pansies No Wimps To Winter Weather